Singularly perturbed markov decision processes: a multiresolution algorithm
File(s)singMDP_publised.pdf (678.04 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Ho, Chin Pang
Parpas, Panos
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Singular perturbation techniques allow the derivation of an aggregate model whose solution is asymptotically optimal for Markov decision processes with strong and weak interactions. We develop an algorithm that takes advantage of the asymptotic optimality of the aggregate model in order to compute the solution of the original model. We derive conditions for which the proposed algorithm has better worst case complexity than conventional contraction algorithms. Based on our complexity analysis, we show that the major benefit of aggregation is that the reduced order model is no longer ill conditioned. The reduction in the number of states (due to aggregation) is a secondary benefit. This is a surprising result since intuition would suggest that the reduced order model can be solved more efficiently because it has fewer states. However, we show that this is not necessarily the case. Our theoretical analysis and numerical experiments show that the proposed algorithm can compute the optimal solution with a reduction in computational complexity and without any penalty in accuracy.
Date Issued
2014-12-10
Date Acceptance
2014-09-10
Citation
SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization, 2014, 52 (6), pp.3854-3886
ISSN
0363-0129
Publisher
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Start Page
3854
End Page
3886
Journal / Book Title
SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization
Volume
52
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000346845100017&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/K040723/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Physical Sciences
Automation & Control Systems
Mathematics, Applied
Mathematics
Markov decision processes
multiscale modeling
multigrid methods
weak and strong interactions
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2014-12-10